Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Police Resume Search For Missing Swimmer
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Huntington Beach police and lifeguards resumed their search on Saturday morning for a swimmer in his 60s who was reported missing just north of the Huntington Beach Pier on Friday amid strong rip currents.
The lifeguards resumed their search at about 6 a.m. A Huntington Beach police helicopter was expected to assist in the effort at 8 a.m. At 9:30 p.m., lifeguards said they were scaling down the search, with patrol units continuing to monitor the beach. The search was also classified as a recovery rather than a rescue.
The initial search began at 9:31 p.m. Friday between lifeguard towers 4 and 6, near the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and First Street, the HBPD said.
"A male was witnessed entering the water and he was witnessed struggling in the water, then he disappeared in the water line," said Huntington Beach police Lt. Kent Ferrin.
The rip currents were "super strong" at the time, he said.
Lifeguards in boats and the police helicopter above searched until 11 p.m. Friday, but did not locate the man.
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